When we come into this world we are given a name. For most of us the name that we are given is what we are called, unless you come from a large family like I did and then you are called every name that your mom can think of including the pets until she just refers to you as “whatever your name is”. All through school we are called by our names and we think nothing of it because we figure that is who we are… until the day that we get married.
In the beginning we are so flattered to be called “So and So’s wife” or even “Mrs. So and So” because we are so in love that we think that it’s an honor and after all we are now “So and So’s wife” or “Mrs. So and So” that we think nothing of it when people can’t remember our first name. But soon this all goes away because we start having children and then we are called “So and So’s mom”. Once again in the beginning you are so thrilled because who wouldn’t want to be called “So and So’s mom”, we gave birth to this individual so we deserve to be called their mom, what an honor. It’s a like a reward for the hours of labor that we went through. In reality we actually deserve to be placed on the shoulder of some young hot guys and carried through the streets with people singing our praises after all that we went through to give birth to this person. As time goes on we start thinking “wait I have a name, why won’t people use it?”.
We continue on for many years being called “So and So’s wife” or “So and So’s mom” that we start to wonder OMG, who am I. Once in a while we have to look at our driver’s license to see what our real name is because it has been so long since anyone has called us by that name that we soon forget. Our children call us mom and our husbands call us honey, babe, or old lady (who thought that this was an appropriate name for any woman? They should be horse whipped).
Before you know it your children have moved out and now you are faced with the question of “who am I”. For some women who are trying to figure out who we are they turn to plastic surgery, which of course is fine, others wear their gray hair and wrinkles as though they are a badge of honor all the while thinking “I earned these so I’m wearing them proud” and then there are those who are content to just get by while trying to figure out who they are. I tend to fit in the category of being content while trying to figure out who I am. Of course we do what we can to still look younger but let’s face it, we aren’t fooling anyone. My doctor recently referred to my correct age and I jokingly said “no, I’m 29” he then said that I need help (maybe I should get a female doctor as she would understand).
In this journey of trying to figure out who I am and what is my purpose I hope to explore as many aspects of this thing people refer to as “middle age”. What does it all mean, really? I personally think that I’m just getting started and I hope that you all can join me in this journey.
We can identify with those thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAnother: when you stop and think about it, we didn't even get to pick our own moniker. That was picked by our parents at birth. I personally think people should be given the opportunity to change their name once they reach 21.
Another thing I noticed over the years: people are reluctant to say "Jerald". It is a word that just doesn't roll off the tongue easily, and even when I say it people think I said "Joe" or "Joel". My name is just too unusual. So when leaving my name for food pickup at Rubio's I started using "Jim". It was fun. Then when we met people we'd never see gain, I used Jim also. And you know what? I discovered people are much more willing to say "Jim" than "Jerald".
Not sure which I prefer, but it's fun changing monikers, even if only in certain situations. Give it a try, it'll brighten your day!